AFL commentator in hot water over 'poofter' slur

Channel Seven AFL commentator Brian Taylor has apologised after calling Geelong star Harry Taylor a "big poofter" during the Swans-Carlton match last night.

The comments came clash after footage was shown of Harry Taylor giving a royal-style wave to the crowd as he was being chaired off the ground after his 150th game last week.

"I don’t know whether you guys down there can hear me or not. I am up here getting ready for the game and I’ve just seen that c--p from Harry - he’s a big poofter, I mean give them this one Harry," Taylor said as he made a rude gesture.

"You can’t be doing the old royal wave. Next thing you’ll have your mum and dad out there.”

The comments were met with laughter from some of the Channel 7 panel including Cameron Ling and Luke Darcy but were promptly slammed on social media.

But others have called for the commentator to be sacked.

Taylor then apologised during the half-time break.

"In the pre-game show I said something that I regret, and I sincerely apologise in regard to Harry Taylor and anyone - and particularly Harry and any of his friends - that were offended by my remark,” he said.

"I apologise for that and I sincerely regret any harm that I have caused. So, sorry for that."

Former Hawthorn president and beyondblue chairman Jeff Kennett said Taylor’s comments were inappropriate and hugely disappointing.

"I haven’t heard that word for a long time … I think it was a throwback to the era that Brian grew up in,” Mr Kennett told The Herald Sun.

"The AFL have been working very hard to end all forms of discrimination but this shows that we still have a long way to go."

Mr Kennett said comments like Taylor’s were hugely damaging and pointed to the fact that suicide was almost five times higher among the gay community because of the discrimination they faced.

But he said firing Taylor would be "over the top".

"It wouldn’t do the cause any good at all," he said.

"None of us are perfect. I’m probably the leader of the band there.

"Everyone can make a mistake. We need to educate and deal with these issues when they arise. This is a reminder to everyone that we need to think twice before speaking."

An AFL Players’ Association spokeswoman welcomed the apology, but said Taylor’s comments were "disrespectful, and a distasteful and unacceptable thing to say".

"The AFL Players’ Association does not tolerate any form of discrimination, be it race, religious beliefs, gender, disability or sexual preference," she said."As an industry, we are in a position to promote inclusion and diversity, both in the football community and in broader society. It’s up to each of us to promote respect for all and to understand the negative impact comments like this can have."